Safety razor



Feb.. 14, 1939. s P'. ENRIGHT 2,146,947

SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 2, 1937V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -INVENTOR- Patented Feb.v14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT g OFFICE i SAFETY nAzon stephen P. Enright.' Philadelphia, Pa. v Application Api-il 2, 1937, serial No. 134,638

1a claims. (cl. :lo-42) This invention relates to safety razors and, more particularly, to the kind now commonly known as the Gillette type, the cutting stroke of which, in contradistinction to that of a.

I straight razor, may be defined as resembling that of a plane, or a 'square-cut stroke. This square or straight cutting-stroke is consequent upon the prevailing general construction of such razors, andincidentally shaving with such razors is rarely, if ever, effected without some physicalv discomfort owing to the square cut and attendant pull of the blade.

The primary object 'of this invention is to overcome the above noted disadvantage by pro/vision of a safety razor in which the blade has imparted thereto, during normal shaving strokes, a toand-fro or reciprocatory movement; or what may be otherwise defined as a zig-zag movement concurrent with the general direction of the shaving stroke.

A secondary object is to do away with the dis- .advantageof rigid metal-bound clamping means for securing the razorblade in place and to asf sure a certain flexibility of -said blade, similar to g5 that experienced in the use of a straight razor,

Q and to this end the blade in this inventionis clamped between razor head components by employing its own springiness or capacity to recoil when subjected to liexure.

Another object is the provision of a safety razor including a blade reciprocating means hlt.- ing a. manipulator member so located, relative t the holder, that the forenger tip, for example, of. the user can be conveniently applied thereto for actuating sai "blade, with the result that the finger movemets automatically follow those ofthe users arm without discomfort orfatigue of any kind, other than that incidental to shaving.

A further object is to support the exible blade for reciprocation with the minimum of frictional resistance.

A still further object is the provision of an efof the safety razor.

Other objects and advantages, more or less ancillary to the foregoing, and the manner in which they are-realized in practice, will be" apparent from a more complete examination of 50 the following description which, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, setsv naled the :lator I0.

flcient guard means for the reciprocatory parts rangement of parts hereinafter disclosed, illustrated by the drawings, and more concisely expressed in the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a longitudinal section .through the head portion and part' of the holder of a safety razor embodying this invention.

Fig. II is a sectional view, taken approximately as indicated by the arrows II-II in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a similar vievv on the plane III-III of Fig. I. A

Fig. IV is an end view right-hand of Fig. I.

Fig. V is a perspective view of the razor blade clamping or locking member.

Fig. VI is a perspective view of the reciprocatory blade carrier.

looking toward the Fig. VII is a perspective view of the safety razor head; and,

Fig. VIII is a -portraiture illustrative of the improved safety razor in use.

Referring generally to the several drawings,

the improved safety razor of this invention comprises a holder or handle I, a base or head 2, a blade carrier lock member 5, anda shield or guard 6. More specically, the handle I is of conventional form.; with the exception that it is provided proximate one end with a housing including spaced walls 1 embodying opposed bearings 8, in which is jouraxis 9 of a freely-rotative manipu- This -manipulator I0 is preferably in the form of a disc rigid with the axis 9, said disc having its peripheral edge milled or serrated at II to facilitate its rotation. Concentric with each fiat face of the manipulator III is an annular cam embodying circumferentially and equally-spaced rises I2; and, it is to be particularly noted the rises I2 of the one annular cam alternateA with, or are staggered relative to, those of the other annular cam, for a purpose hereafter explained.

The head 2 embodies the conventional teeth I3,

.and an attaching piece or stem I4 for secure fixture in the open end of the handle I in accordance with known practice. The head 2 dif- 3, the blade 4, a blade clamping or.

fers, however, in many respects from standard structures of analogous character in that it is, centrally of its outer, face, provided with a longitudinal groovev I5, a dove-tail gudeway I6 defined by spaced projections I1, and an axial orice I8 through the stem I4, aforesaid. The orifice I8 is somewhat elongate in cross-section, thereby defining spaced walls I4 in which is fulcrumed the axis I9 of a forked rocker 20, the bifurcation is greatly facilitated and friction reduced to the minimum.

The blade carrier 3, as best understood from Figs. I and VI, is of a cross-section for reciprocatory movement and slight lifting action in the -head guideway I6, while it is formed with a longitudinal rib 25 for similar engagement in the groove I5, said rib being cut away at 26, Fig. I, to afford free clearance for the rocker leg 22. It is also noteworthy that the head stem I4 is also cut out at 21 to similarly accommodate oscillatory movement of the rocker forked portions 2I, as later on set forth. 'Ihe blade carrier 3 is formed with a central embossment 28 conformative with vthe customary cut-out in flexible double-edged blades, parallel blade-supporting ribs 29,- and longitudinally spaced lock projections 30, the

outer` portions 3| whereof somewhat .dovetail section for slidable coaction with the correspondingly formed portions 32 of rectangular holes 33 through the lock member 5.

The lock member 5 is of conventional pattern excepting that it is provided with the holes 32, 33 just described and by' which it is secured to the carrier 3, through application of the part 33 over the lock projections 3D, and is adapted for sliding movement toward the right-hand of Fig. I to bring the portions 32 into engagement below the lock projection dovetail portions 3|, in an obvious manner.

Conveniently hinged at 34 to one end of the razor head 2 is a guard or protective shield 6 having cut-outs 35, Fig. IV, for engagement with end projctions36, on said head; and a snap catch 31 remote from the hinge 34 for engagement with a cut-out or notch 38, Figs. I and VII, to lock the guard 5 in position when the razor is assembled for use. Arcuate slots 39 are also, preferably, provided in the end portions of the guard or shield 6 to accommodate blades 4 having end extensions that might otherwise interfere with the free reciprocation of the carrier 3.

Having disclosed the structural features of the improved safety razor of this invention, its use will .be apparent from Fig. VIII, wherein it is noticeable that said razor is held in the one hand by the handle I with the tip of the foreflnger or digit of the right or left hand engaging the manipulator I0, or approximately in the same position where users of safety razors place said forenger during the prevailing act of shaving to exert pressure during the time the arm is performing a shaving stroke. This cooperative functioning of the finger and arm would be very awkward and unnatural if said finger should be constantly exerting pressure and would be out of harmony with and contrary to the natural arm movements when shaving. By locating the manipulator III as set forth, the forenger functions in perfect harmony with the arm and moves onehalf inch or more rearward of the handle I in the direction the arm is moving while performing each shaving stroke. -Thus with the improved safety razor of this invention, and without any additional effort, the movements of the arm and Aforeflnger effect a repetitive back-and-forth movement of the carrier 3 and blade 4 during each shaving movement of the users arm.

The blade supportingrbs 29 extending the full length of the carrier 3 permit only a comparatively small portion of the blade surface to contact the underside of the lock member 5, thereby eliminating all possible .danger of the blade 4 becoming metal bound, as readily understandable from- Figs. II and. III, more particularly: and wherein it will be seen that the top surfaces of the projections I 1 are slightly hollowed out longitudinally to dene parallel edges I1', Fig. VII, the outer ones of which serve as line supports for the blade 4; It is also to be seen that the longitudinal edges 5' ofthe lock member 5 impinge the blade 4 outwardly of the carrier edges I1', whereby the blades flexibility is retained, and said blade is afforded the needful degree of resiliency while being secured in a position that ensures operating rigidity. In other words, when a flexible razor blade is clamped tight between two heavier and inflexible pieces of metalit restricts the blades flexibility to the extent of creatingan obstinate and stubborn influence which has a disturbing effect upon the cutting edge of said blade. Or the edge of a conventional safety razor blade is metal-bound and has no flexibility correspond- 'ing to the cutting edge of a straight razor which passes over all unevennesses with a distinctive and particular sound easily discerned by the user. By provision of what I term as the twin supports I1', 29, the just noted objection is obviated, since by regulating proper adjustment of the lock member 5, the ribs 29 are slightly raised sufficiently to allow parallel clearances between the blade 4 and said lock member. Thus the edges of the center slot in the blade 4 are afforded a small degree of upward spring, and upon engaging the underside of the lock member 5 as it is moved inward relative to the head 2, accommodate sliding of the blade 4 into interlocking engagement with the projection dovetail portions 3l so as to secure said blade in operating position. It will now be ap.

u 29, I1', whereby the blade edge flexibility ls not disturbed. In other words, by clamping the blade 4 upon the narrow ribs 29 and edges I1', the blade cutting edges are afforded a minute degree of oscillatory movement in use. Again, the parallel edges 5 of the 'lock member 5 projecting and being effective beyond the head outer edges I1', impart the requisite leverage to maintain the cutting edges of the blade 4 in such position relative to the head teeth or combs I3 that-lather or the hair removed by shaving are positively prevented from working inwardly of the edges I1'. The induced spring imparted to the blade also :exerts a lift upon the blade carrier 3 as indion the edges I1. Thus the blade carrier 3 is` practically placed in suspension and supported by the projections 30 engaged in the lock member 5; hence the weight of the suspended carrier 3 during reciprocation of the blade 4 will serve to steady the reciprocative motions with additional force and accuracy, reducevfriction of the moving parts, and positively ensure an easy and smooth cuttingposltion for the blade edges.

)invention will be well understood `the guard B rest onv the and cut-outs .35, whereas the attention is also di- K Furthermore, particular rected to the fact that the longitudinal edges. of lock member 5 and a're the same distance away from the longitudinal edges of said lock member, as the edge of the latter outwardly overlaps the head projection or blade bearing edges I1', In other words, the longitudinal edges of theguard 6 are preferably the same distance apart asthe parallel head projections l1', and the former are adjusted in use to be directly over or .plumbwith respect to the latter. 'Inl addition, the "guard 6 is se` curely attached to the head 2 and accurately stabilized and rigidly held by the projections36 blade carrier'3`and blade l are'accurately adjusted for free reciprocation relative tothe parts aforesaid, as hereinbefore set forth. v 4

From the foregoing disclosure, it is thought the and its advantages appreciatedand while the description is necessarily of a detailed' nature in order to clarify the invention, it is to be expressly understood that structural changes and variations may 5 beresorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of said invention as more tersely expressed in the following claims. f r, y

\Having thus described my invention, I claim: f1. A safety-razor comprising a handle with a stationary head, said head embodying a guidesupported by thecarrier ber slidably engageable Stained by way and paralleling ridgeprojections, a carrier movable in the guideway and embodying .spaced ribs with intervening projections, a flexibleblade ribs, and a lock memtions and concurrently exing the blade into line contact with said carrier ribs and the stationary 'i head rige projections. e.

2. A safety-razor comprising -a handle with-a with the carrier projecbe reciprocated, and a hinged guard carrier.

able in said guideway and embodying parallel ribs with spaced projections, a flexible blade sustained by the carrier, a blade securing member adapted to interengage the carrier projections and lock the blade rigidly in line contact with said carrier projections and the fixed head ridges, and rotary cam and rocker means whereby the carrier can be reciprocated during active strokes of the razor.

6. A safetyrazor comprising a handle with a xed head, said head having a central guideway with paralleling ridge projections, a carrier slidable in said guideway and embodying parallel ribs with spaced projections, a exible blade sustained by the carrier, a blade securing member adapted `to .interengage the carrier projections and lock theV blade rigidly in line contact with said carrier projections and the xed head ridges, a rotatable cam and coactive rocker whereby the carrier can substantially closing-in the blade securing member and said 7. A safety-razoras defined in claim 6 wherein 'the zfixed head guideway is of suitable crosssection flanked by paralleling ridges, and the blade carrier is of complemental cross-section with longitudinal blade supporting ribs and intervening lock projections. v

8,. A safety-razor as defined in claim 6 wherein the ixed head guideway is of outwardly-conw vergent cross-section with va central groove, said guideway being iianked' by parallel ridges, the blade carrier is of complemental 'cross-section with a rib engaging in the guideway groove, and said carrier is adaptedlor slight outward litts relative to the xed head, for the purpose set stationary head, said head embodying a guide-rn way and paralleling ridge movable in the guideway and embodying spaced ribs with intervening projections, a exible blade supported by the carrier ribs, and a lock member projections, a carrier forth.

9. A safety-razor as deiined in claim 6 wherein the iixed head guidewa'y is of outwardly convergeht cross-section flanked by paralleling u ridges, the blade carrier'is of complemental cross-section with longitudinal blade supporting ribs and intervening lock projections, and said slidably engageable with the carrier projections and concurrently iiexing the blade into line contact with said carrier ribs and the stationary head ridge projections, whereby the razor blade is rigidly secured in operative position with the cutting edges maintained exible.

3. A safety-razor comprising a holder with a ilxed head, a carrier movable relative to said head, a .flexible blade sustained by the carrier, a member for securingi-the blade to the .carrier by reactive force induced when saidl securing member is applied, means whereby the carrier is reciprocabie; and a' protective member overlapping the securing member and blade, said protective member'coacting with the blade securing member to positivelyl prevent ingress of shaving medium or residue to the movable carrier.s

4..A safety-razor' comprising a handle with a fixed head, s'aid head having a central guideway with paralleling ridge projections, a'carrier slidable in said guideway and embodying parallel ribs with spaced projections, a veirible blade susthe carrier, a blade securing member adapted to interengage the: carrier projections and lock the blade rigidly in line contact with said carrier projections and the iixed head` ridges, and means whereby the carrier is reciprocable.

5. A safety-razor. comprising a handle with a fixed'head, said head Vhaving a central guideway with parallelingridge projections, a carrier sildlock. projections are of dovetailiormation for interengagement with corresponding portions of s rectangular apertures through the blade securing member.

10. A safety-razor asdeiined in claim 6 wherein the carrier reciprocating means comprises a rotary cam journaled in the razor handle, and a Y`rocker also pivotedin said handle with its les operatively engaging saidcarrier.d A

11. A safety-razor as defined in claim 6 wherein the carrier reciprocating-means comprises a ro I -tary dischaving an annularcam path on each "face, saidcam paths including equally spaced rises and the rises of the one path being stasgeringly related to those of the other path. and an inverted Y-rocker alsopivoted in the razor handle with itsleg' engaging an aperture through .o-

the carrier and'its fork arms action with thevcam' paths.

12. A safety-razor as defined inclaim 6 wherein the guard is hinged-transversely to one end of the y through, forthe purpose set forth.

' dxd head and embodiesa snap catch for coaction with the other endo! said head, cut-outs areprovided at rboth ends oi the .guard for engagement with complemental projections at the head ends to prevent `relative lateral movement. 'and said guard ends have arcuate slots thereo amenant. aumen-r. y 

